North Entrance Open During Construction

The northern entrance to the Museum of Texas is open during construction on the first stage of the West Texas Eco-Garden.

Over time, the garden will interpret the major natural habitats of West Texas, telling stories of the evolution of the High Plains. Construction on the first phase of the garden should be completed by the end of the year.

The garden will feature a diverse landscape using plants that are found in the region. The first phase of the garden is a representation of an arroyo that will form an entryway to the main northern doors of the museum. Arroyos are washes that divert water after rains but are dry for much of the year.

The project's goal is to achieve a highly sustainable landscape that requires minimal or no additional watering. Materials such as the concrete and bricks torn up by the construction will be reused in forming the arroyo. Eventually, there will be lighting, seating, and shade trees, creating an area that will be both educational and lovely to visit.

The West Texas eco-garden is made possible by the generous support of the CH Foundation, and funding through the landscape enhancement program of the Texas Tech University System. The system allocates 1 percent of the estimated total cost of each new construction project or each repair and rehabilitation project that exceeds $500,000 for landscape enhancement and an additional 1 percent for the acquisition of public art. The funding comes from the recent life safety project at the Museum.